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With six starters returning on each side of the ball and a sophomore quarterback at the helm of the Crusader offense, Catholic coach Greg Seibert's expectations haven't changed much since last season, if at all.

"We want to put a great product on the field, we want to make the playoffs and host home playoff games," said Seibert, entering his 10th year at Catholic.

The Crusaders put together an unblemished regular season in 2013 and entered the playoffs as a top-ranked Class 5A team in Florida.

Catholic made its way to the regional finals before its perfect season was halted by Green Cove Springs Clay, who edged Catholic 9-7.

This year, quarterback Z'Khari Blocker will look to raise the bar and lead the Crusaders deeper into the postseason. The sophomore will have big shoes to fill, as he replaces Catholic's leading passer, rusher and the Pensacola News Journal's male athlete of the year — Cody Henry.

"Zeke is a dynamic player," Seibert said.

"He's got a big arm, makes good decisions, he can run pretty good when he needs to and he can make every throw on the field."

Blocker will be helped by a strong receiving corps loaded with seniors.

Receivers Daniel Byrd, Quan Moorer and Antwain Adams combined for 18 touchdowns in 2013 and all return for their senior campaign in 2014. Byrd, who hauled in 34 catches in 2013, spoke on his quarterback's growth.

"Zeke has been great, we've won three out of four passing tournaments this summer," Byrd said.

"He's been progressing really well, he's got a lot of zing on the ball. We've got a young quarterback but we're gonna help him out."

Defensively, Catholic brings back six starters which Seibert called a "relatively solid" return.

Defensive end Felix Gray returns for his senior year after finishing second in the area with nine sacks last season.

On the opposite end of Gray, Antoine Barker — who has offers from Troy University, South Alabama and Western Kentucky — brings size to the Crusaders defensive line with his 6-4, 240-pound frame.

Look for Duke Acromite to play a big part in leading the secondary, after finishing his 2013 season tied for second in the area with six interceptions. The defense is also bolstered by the return of All-Area linebacker Khaifa Peabody and Jawan Purifoy.

Despite having a perfect 2013 regular season, it's safe to say the Crusaders were battle tested along the way, especially by the West Florida Jaguars.

The teams faced twice in 2013, including an overtime thriller in the 5A regional semifinals. Catholic emerged as the the winner in both contests, but in dramatic fashion.

In the postseason match up, the Jaguars and Crusaders exchanged blows throughout the game but Catholic had the last word.

After the Crusaders stopped the West Florida offense in overtime, Henry found Moorer on a fade route to seal the 26-20 victory and advance the Crusaders.

Seibert credits his team for being dynamic in these close battles.

"We build around the personnel that we have and the situations that we are presented with," Seibert said.

"We don't want to be pigeon-holed as only being able to do one thing. We want to be balanced and put ourselves in the best position to win."

Prep Football 2014

Every day, the Pensacola News Journal will preview one team from the two-county area leading into kickoff classic week:

After tallying the second most sacks (9) in the area in his junior season, Gray returns for his senior campaign looking to be even more physical off the line.

Pos.

Player

Ht.

Wt.

Class

DB

Duke Acromite

6-0

210

Sr.

The ballhawk disrupted plenty of pass schemes in 2013, finishing tied for second in the area with six interceptions.

Pos.

Player

Ht.

Wt.

Class

WR

Daniel Byrd

6-1

195

Sr.

Byrd finished fourth in the area with 669 yards on 34 catches in 2013. The athletic wideout will expect more targeting this year as he steps in the place of Tylan Purifoy, who led the Crusaders in receiving last season.

3 Games to Watch

» Sept. 12, vs Pensacola High

The Crusaders will look to knock off an athletic cross-town rival for the second straight year.

» Sept. 19, Bay

Catholic will kick off district play against Bay, who returns Raekwon Webb who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in 2013.

» Oct. 31, vs. West Florida

The District 1-5A rivals will clash on Halloween for a much anticipated rematch of the 2013 5A regional match, in which the Crusaders edged the Jaguars 26-20 in overtime.